Name: Mina Ha
Message: How do I dye crinoline, a nylon netting used for making a ballet tutu?

If the nylon has not been treated with any finish which might repel water (and dye), you can dye it with the same acid dyes that are used for wool. You must use heat when dyeing nylon or wool. See "About Acid Dyes".

There are many choices of acid dyes to use. You can actually use an all-purpose dye, such as Rit® brand dye, since it contains some acid dye, though the final color is often not quite as expected. You can use food coloring if the color(s) you want happen to be represented among the readily available forms of food dye, such as unsweetened Koolaid drink mix. 

The best results, the brightest and most washfast, will probably be obtained by mail-ordering some high quality acid dyes from a company such as PRO Chemical & Dye. I particularly recommend PROchem's Lanaset dyes, especially when the desired final color is black. Like other acid dyes, the Lanaset dyes should be steamed into the fabric.

Be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by the retailer from which you buy your dye.

(Please help support this web site. Thank you.)